Falls Awareness Week 21st - 25th June 2010
Wednesday 23rd June 2010
This is falls awareness week. Falls and falls risk are most common amongst the older population. One of the main reasons for this is a combination of physical issues which can lead to deconditioning. Falls in the older people are also more likely to result in a serious injury e.g. broken bones, therefore it is important to try and prevent or reduce the risk of falls.
Physical activity e.g. pilates has the potential to improve performance in balance, reaction time, awareness and muscle strength. Physical activity does not have to include exercise classes or going to the gym, it can simply mean getting up and about a bit more and being a more active.
Pilates is a gentle form of exercise which uses your muscles and joints safely with the aim of:
• Encouraging greater strength flexibility
• Improving balance and coordination
• Improving postural control
• Increasing fitness
• Reducing fatigue
• Strengthening your core muscles (and your pelvic floor at the same time)
Simple exercises can be carried out without any specialist equipment in the home setting to help improve muscle strength and range of movement (flexibility). Improved muscle strength and power may help to reduce the risk of falling by enabling the person to move react more quickly if they do begin to fall.
Improved muscle strength can also help the feeling of stability through gains in postural control. Pilates is one form of exercise that improves postural control, muscle strength and core stability gently and with no cardiovascular (aerobic) aspects.
Other commonly reported risk factors for falls are listed below; most are considered preventable:
- Poor balance & coordination
- Muscle weakness
- Poor eyesight
- Fatigue
- Use of sleeping tablets
- A history of falls
- Improper footwear
- Gait disorders
- Dependency in activities of daily living
- Hazards around the home
If you are interested in learning more about Pilates classes, please contact Nigel Mann on 490312.
The Jersey Sporst & Spinal Clinic 1st Floor 14 Gloucester Street St Helier Jersey JE2 3QR
Tel: 01534 490312 Fax: 01534490234 Email: enquiries@physiojersey.com www.physiojersey.com
